Hector Estrada | University of the Pacific (original) (raw)

Papers by Hector Estrada

A considerable number of Texas students grow up in rural or small urban centers that are a signif... more A considerable number of Texas students grow up in rural or small urban centers that are a significant distance from the large metropolitan areas. These students are not afforded the same access to the many summer and pre-college programs that are available in large metropolitan areas. This often affects the students’ decision to further their education and attend colleges or universities. The Summer Transportation Institute (STI) is an established program funded by the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. Currently, the STI targets urban students and thereby misses a large segment of the student population of Texas who are potential members for the transportation work force. By developing and conducting a modified STI in selected smaller communities and rural areas an audience not previously exposed to transportation career opportunities is reached. This modified program can be easily implemented for rural Texas students. This modified program was conducted as a...

Several coastal bridges have been destroyed by historic and recent hurricanes. Currently no guide... more Several coastal bridges have been destroyed by historic and recent hurricanes. Currently no guidelines exist for the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves. This document presents an introduction to weather and hurricanes, fundamental concepts of water waves, and a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks. A section on the parameters most relevant to the design of bridge superstructures against hurricane waves is included in this document. This report provides a synthesis of data found in several historical databases and databases maintained regularly by government organizations and research laboratories. A methodology to update the databases is also presented. A plan of action to develop design methodology is also included and followed by a chapter on benefits of expanding this research beyond the synthesis stage. The document ends with a set of conclusions and recommendations.

Composites, 2015

Heightened concerns for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in civilian and defence applications h... more Heightened concerns for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in civilian and defence applications have led to the development of multi-functional materials that can provide structural performance while shielding electronic components from electromagnetic waves. Since EMI shielding effectiveness is highly dependent on electrical properties, the goal of this chapter is to present information on how to characterize the conductivity, permittivity and resistivity of nanocomposites; particularly those formed using fiber and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer composites. The key components of the nanocomposites are synthetic carbon nanofibers (CNTs). In this chapter, an example will also be provided for a case where the CNTs are embedded in the fiber reinforced material in the form of a non-woven CNT textile, which is proprietary and may be obtained from Nanocomp Technologies Inc. (www.nanocomptech.com). To measure the electrical properties of the nanocomposite, such as conductivity and resistivity, electrical testing of specimens can be conducted using a low frequency impedance analyser. The textile based nanocomposite material's EMI shielding effectiveness was estimated to be approximately 46 dB for a resistivity of 0.88 ohm/square. Given the material's average area density of 12.8 g/m 2 , these results can be considered promising since the Nanocomp material can be incorporated into conventional composites intended for load bearing applications and provide EMI shielding to the composite with little additional weight.

The extensive bridge damage caused by recent hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico showed a need for a... more The extensive bridge damage caused by recent hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico showed a need for a design method against wave forces. A literature review revealed that current guidelines offer limited help to bridge designers, since current information related to the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves is inadequate. This document presents a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks.

2005 Annual Conference Proceedings

This paper presents the description of a web-based computer program for the analysis of laminated... more This paper presents the description of a web-based computer program for the analysis of laminated composites using Classical Lamination Theory. The program was developed using an object-oriented programming methodology, Java, and runs from any web page. The program is intended for educational purposes, but it can also be used in industry. It is currently used in a mechanics of composites course taught at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The response from the students after using the program has been very positive and encouraging. The students primarily complement the program's interface, which is very user-friendly. Furthermore, the program is practical and can be used to compute the stresses and strains in any laminated composites. The main objective of the paper is to present the program to other potential users in academia and industry.

Introduction to Earthquake Engineering, 2017

Seismology. Introduction to Structural Dynamics. Response Spectrum Analysis of SDOF System. Gener... more Seismology. Introduction to Structural Dynamics. Response Spectrum Analysis of SDOF System. Generalized SDOF System Analysis. Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) System Analysis for Support Motions. Equivalent Static Based Code Seismic Analysis. Dynamics-Based Code Seismic Analysis. Index.

2015 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Proceedings

is an Associate Professor in the Benerd School of Education at the University of the Pacific wher... more is an Associate Professor in the Benerd School of Education at the University of the Pacific where she teaches research methodology and applied statistics courses and serves on numerous dissertation committees. She has also directed the evaluation research associated with several state-and federally-funded projects, especially those involving teacher professional development.

The International Handbook of FRP Composites in Civil Engineering the final limitation on advance... more The International Handbook of FRP Composites in Civil Engineering the final limitation on advancement depends on availability of materials. Composites can address this limitation with their tailorable characteristics and properties to satisfy design criteria of any complex engineered systems. The existence of composite materials is arguably as old as life itself, with examples occurring in nature, such as wood and bone. Man-made composites can be traced back in time to approximately 4000 BC, where biblical references in the Book of Exodus state "do not give them straw for their bricks, make them find their own straw," indicating that straw was mixed with clay to manufacture straw-reinforced bricks. This practice was so successful in ancient Egypt that it is still in use in many parts of the world today. Later, ancient Romans invented concrete and built many structures and monuments with it, including the Pantheon in Rome, which was constructed more than 2000 years ago and stands to this day. Contemporary examples of manmade composites include reinforced concrete and advanced composites such as those discussed in this handbook.

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Kingsville. While at Texas A&M Kingsville, he was instrumental in establishing a new program in A... more Kingsville. While at Texas A&M Kingsville, he was instrumental in establishing a new program in Architectural Engineering. Professor Estrada received his B.S.

Safe rooms, or in-home storm shelters, are fast becoming integral components to households in ext... more Safe rooms, or in-home storm shelters, are fast becoming integral components to households in extreme-wind prone areas such as tornado alley and the hurricane susceptible coastlines of the United States. The main purpose of these storm shelters is to protect its human occupants during extreme-wind events, not to protect possessions. For this reason, shelters tend to be relatively small, thereby occupying only a fraction of the floor plan of the home. Because of their size, their assimilation into new and existing constructions is relatively simple and inexpensive. While human losses to extreme-wind events are lower (under 100 per year 7 ) than those associated with highway traffic accidents (over 40,000 per year 6 ), the uncertainty and devastation associated with these natural disasters make them among the most terrifying experiences known to man. A safe room, though, has the potential for alleviating people’s anxieties when they find themselves in the path of a storm. This paper r...

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has made available a case study of a steel bu... more The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has made available a case study of a steel building; complete with detailed design calculations for loads and design of the structural frame. The material also includes numerous photos of the construction process, detailed plans (in AutoCAD), animations of some design concepts that are difficult to explain (such as local buckling), and a virtual three-dimensional model of the entire frame system, which can be viewed from any vantage point. The virtual 3D model also includes detailed connections. This tool has been incorporated in the structural engineering course sequence for civil and architectural engineering students. The sequence includes: statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and a capstone design course. This paper presents the details of how the entire steel building case study has been incorporated into the teaching of the structural engineering course sequence, from statics to the capstone design course. In statics, building loads are discussed, which can be illustrated with some of the animations included in the AISC material. In mechanics of materials, connection failure animations are incorporated. The topic of loads is covered in detail in the structural analysis course, where several of the visual aids are used to illustrate difficult concepts, such as tributary area. Once the loads are established, students are asked to perform the analysis of the building frame. Design of different members of the building frame (bracing, beams, columns, connections) is covered in the structural steel design course. Finally, the entire system is covered in the capstone design course. These types of tools are very useful because they provide students with a "real world" case to study throughout their structural engineering training. Results obtained from the end of class student evaluations have not changed significantly since the introduction of the case study in the structural engineering course sequence; however, the students have made a number of positive comments regarding the use of these materials in the course evaluation surveys.

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of all ABET (Accreditation Board for En... more This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of all ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited architectural engineering programs. The analysis is based on data collected from a detailed study of the curricula of these programs. Five major groups of courses are discussed: mathematics and science, general education, architecture, other, and engineering coursework. The analysis reveals what is, or is not, being covered in architectural engineering and the implications for future professional practice. The paper discusses the two approaches to teaching architectural engineering (from the architecture schools and from engineering schools), how well curricula satisfy ABET accreditation criteria, and what the current distribution of coursework indicates is the priority of architectural engineering education. Like many other disciplines, it is apparent that the current architectural engineering curriculum is highly specialized when it comes to technical subjects, but rather unfocused regarding liberal arts and other important non-technical skills.

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

There are currently 17 ABET accredited Architectural Engineering programs in the United States. T... more There are currently 17 ABET accredited Architectural Engineering programs in the United States. This paper presents curriculum data for these Architectural Engineering programs and discusses the challenges of finding common ground and conveying program needs to the rest of the academic community-especially when the programs are so small in number and so diverse in their structure and course offerings.

2005 Annual Conference Proceedings

It is well known that the main reason many students do not pursue careers in engineering is becau... more It is well known that the main reason many students do not pursue careers in engineering is because they are not aware of the opportunities available or simply do not know engineering is something other than conducting trains. In this paper, we present materials developed for a summer engineering program to educate high school students about the academic and professional opportunities engineering has to offer. The educational materials have been used the last three summers and 49 high school students have participated. The students are selected from several area high schools based on their academic interest, with the highest priority given to those interested in mathematics and science. They are brought to Kingsville to experience college life (including college admission and other college related activities) and to participate in several educational activities designed to familiarize them with civil engineering, including construction materials, structural engineering, transportation, environmental engineering, and water resources engineering. The primary objective of the material is to expose high school students to the great opportunities the profession of civil engineering has to offer. The program has been a success, with one of the participants enrolling in the Civil Engineering Program at TAMUK following the institute in the fall of 2002, three of the participants from 2002 enrolling in the fall of 2003 and one from the summer of 2003 enrolling in the fall of 2004. This is particularly important because these students had plans to enter a different discipline and were not aware of any engineering careers! Furthermore, all but one of the remaining participants from 2002 have indicated that they would pursue a career in engineering. From the 2004 group, several participants have inquired about entering engineering next summer. There is no doubt that the educational materials have provided these students sufficient information to make an educated decision to pursue a degree in engineering.

2004 Annual Conference Proceedings

This paper presents the description of a computer program for the analysis of wind loads on build... more This paper presents the description of a computer program for the analysis of wind loads on buildings and signs. The material used to develop this program was derived mainly from the American Society of Civil Engineers Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures 1 (better known as ASCE 7). The program was developed using an object-oriented programming methodology, Microsoft Visual Basic, and runs on any Microsoft Windows graphical environment platform. The program is intended for educational purposes and it is currently used in a structural analysis course taught at Texas A&M University-Kingsville 2. The response from the students after using the program has been very positive and encouraging (this has been expressed in the student rating surveys in the "comments" section). The students primarily complement the program's interface, which is very user-friendly. Furthermore, the program is very practical and can be used to compute the wind pressures that act on signs and buildings, particularly wind pressures on flat roof buildings and hipped roof buildings. The main objective of the paper is to present the program to other potential users in academia and industry.

Athens Journal of Τechnology & Engineering, 2018

An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference pap... more An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference papers series in 2012. It includes only the papers submitted for publication after they were presented at one of the conferences organized by our Institute every year. This paper has been peer reviewed by at least two academic members of ATINER.

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2016

Soil erosion is one of the most severe land degradation problems afflicting many parts of the wor... more Soil erosion is one of the most severe land degradation problems afflicting many parts of the world where topography of the land is relatively steep. Owing to inaccessibility to this steep terrain, such as slopes in open-pit mines and forested mountains, advanced data processing techniques are required to identify and predict high risk erosion zones. Unlike existing methods that require human observations, which can be expensive and error-prone, the proposed approach uses a fully automated algorithm to indicate when an area is at risk of erosion; this is accomplished by processing Landsat and aerial images. In this paper, an image processing algorithm is presented to identify the scene of an image by classifying it in one of six categories: open-pit mine, mountain, forest, degraded forest, cropland, and grassland or orchard. This paper focuses on automatic scene detection using global features with local representations to show the gradient structure of an image. The output of this work counts as a contextual cueing and can be used in erosion detection, and for erosion control in a variety of applications; particularly, predicting erosion risks in open-pit mines. We also discuss the environmental implications of deferred erosion control in open-pit mines.

Journal of Mechanics Engineering and Automation, 2015

The evolution of leakage is studied using detailed contact finite element analysis. The distribut... more The evolution of leakage is studied using detailed contact finite element analysis. The distribution of stress at the gasket is analyzed using a contact condition based on slide-line elements using ABAQUS, a commercial finite element code. Slide-line elements also take into account pressure penetration as contact that is lost between flange and gasket. Results are presented for a particular flange, a raised face flange sealed by a mild steel gasket. A comparison of the results from the gasket contact analysis and the contact conditions specified by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections VIII, Division 1 shows that the conditions specified in the ASME Code predict leakage relatively accurately.

A considerable number of Texas students grow up in rural or small urban centers that are a signif... more A considerable number of Texas students grow up in rural or small urban centers that are a significant distance from the large metropolitan areas. These students are not afforded the same access to the many summer and pre-college programs that are available in large metropolitan areas. This often affects the students’ decision to further their education and attend colleges or universities. The Summer Transportation Institute (STI) is an established program funded by the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. Currently, the STI targets urban students and thereby misses a large segment of the student population of Texas who are potential members for the transportation work force. By developing and conducting a modified STI in selected smaller communities and rural areas an audience not previously exposed to transportation career opportunities is reached. This modified program can be easily implemented for rural Texas students. This modified program was conducted as a...

Several coastal bridges have been destroyed by historic and recent hurricanes. Currently no guide... more Several coastal bridges have been destroyed by historic and recent hurricanes. Currently no guidelines exist for the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves. This document presents an introduction to weather and hurricanes, fundamental concepts of water waves, and a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks. A section on the parameters most relevant to the design of bridge superstructures against hurricane waves is included in this document. This report provides a synthesis of data found in several historical databases and databases maintained regularly by government organizations and research laboratories. A methodology to update the databases is also presented. A plan of action to develop design methodology is also included and followed by a chapter on benefits of expanding this research beyond the synthesis stage. The document ends with a set of conclusions and recommendations.

Composites, 2015

Heightened concerns for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in civilian and defence applications h... more Heightened concerns for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in civilian and defence applications have led to the development of multi-functional materials that can provide structural performance while shielding electronic components from electromagnetic waves. Since EMI shielding effectiveness is highly dependent on electrical properties, the goal of this chapter is to present information on how to characterize the conductivity, permittivity and resistivity of nanocomposites; particularly those formed using fiber and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer composites. The key components of the nanocomposites are synthetic carbon nanofibers (CNTs). In this chapter, an example will also be provided for a case where the CNTs are embedded in the fiber reinforced material in the form of a non-woven CNT textile, which is proprietary and may be obtained from Nanocomp Technologies Inc. (www.nanocomptech.com). To measure the electrical properties of the nanocomposite, such as conductivity and resistivity, electrical testing of specimens can be conducted using a low frequency impedance analyser. The textile based nanocomposite material's EMI shielding effectiveness was estimated to be approximately 46 dB for a resistivity of 0.88 ohm/square. Given the material's average area density of 12.8 g/m 2 , these results can be considered promising since the Nanocomp material can be incorporated into conventional composites intended for load bearing applications and provide EMI shielding to the composite with little additional weight.

The extensive bridge damage caused by recent hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico showed a need for a... more The extensive bridge damage caused by recent hurricanes on the Gulf of Mexico showed a need for a design method against wave forces. A literature review revealed that current guidelines offer limited help to bridge designers, since current information related to the design of bridge superstructures when subjected to the action of waves is inadequate. This document presents a compilation of available sources of information that contain information related to forces produced by waves acting on engineering structures such as sea walls, suspended walls, and bridge decks.

2005 Annual Conference Proceedings

This paper presents the description of a web-based computer program for the analysis of laminated... more This paper presents the description of a web-based computer program for the analysis of laminated composites using Classical Lamination Theory. The program was developed using an object-oriented programming methodology, Java, and runs from any web page. The program is intended for educational purposes, but it can also be used in industry. It is currently used in a mechanics of composites course taught at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The response from the students after using the program has been very positive and encouraging. The students primarily complement the program's interface, which is very user-friendly. Furthermore, the program is practical and can be used to compute the stresses and strains in any laminated composites. The main objective of the paper is to present the program to other potential users in academia and industry.

Introduction to Earthquake Engineering, 2017

Seismology. Introduction to Structural Dynamics. Response Spectrum Analysis of SDOF System. Gener... more Seismology. Introduction to Structural Dynamics. Response Spectrum Analysis of SDOF System. Generalized SDOF System Analysis. Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) System Analysis for Support Motions. Equivalent Static Based Code Seismic Analysis. Dynamics-Based Code Seismic Analysis. Index.

2015 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Proceedings

is an Associate Professor in the Benerd School of Education at the University of the Pacific wher... more is an Associate Professor in the Benerd School of Education at the University of the Pacific where she teaches research methodology and applied statistics courses and serves on numerous dissertation committees. She has also directed the evaluation research associated with several state-and federally-funded projects, especially those involving teacher professional development.

The International Handbook of FRP Composites in Civil Engineering the final limitation on advance... more The International Handbook of FRP Composites in Civil Engineering the final limitation on advancement depends on availability of materials. Composites can address this limitation with their tailorable characteristics and properties to satisfy design criteria of any complex engineered systems. The existence of composite materials is arguably as old as life itself, with examples occurring in nature, such as wood and bone. Man-made composites can be traced back in time to approximately 4000 BC, where biblical references in the Book of Exodus state "do not give them straw for their bricks, make them find their own straw," indicating that straw was mixed with clay to manufacture straw-reinforced bricks. This practice was so successful in ancient Egypt that it is still in use in many parts of the world today. Later, ancient Romans invented concrete and built many structures and monuments with it, including the Pantheon in Rome, which was constructed more than 2000 years ago and stands to this day. Contemporary examples of manmade composites include reinforced concrete and advanced composites such as those discussed in this handbook.

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Kingsville. While at Texas A&M Kingsville, he was instrumental in establishing a new program in A... more Kingsville. While at Texas A&M Kingsville, he was instrumental in establishing a new program in Architectural Engineering. Professor Estrada received his B.S.

Safe rooms, or in-home storm shelters, are fast becoming integral components to households in ext... more Safe rooms, or in-home storm shelters, are fast becoming integral components to households in extreme-wind prone areas such as tornado alley and the hurricane susceptible coastlines of the United States. The main purpose of these storm shelters is to protect its human occupants during extreme-wind events, not to protect possessions. For this reason, shelters tend to be relatively small, thereby occupying only a fraction of the floor plan of the home. Because of their size, their assimilation into new and existing constructions is relatively simple and inexpensive. While human losses to extreme-wind events are lower (under 100 per year 7 ) than those associated with highway traffic accidents (over 40,000 per year 6 ), the uncertainty and devastation associated with these natural disasters make them among the most terrifying experiences known to man. A safe room, though, has the potential for alleviating people’s anxieties when they find themselves in the path of a storm. This paper r...

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has made available a case study of a steel bu... more The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has made available a case study of a steel building; complete with detailed design calculations for loads and design of the structural frame. The material also includes numerous photos of the construction process, detailed plans (in AutoCAD), animations of some design concepts that are difficult to explain (such as local buckling), and a virtual three-dimensional model of the entire frame system, which can be viewed from any vantage point. The virtual 3D model also includes detailed connections. This tool has been incorporated in the structural engineering course sequence for civil and architectural engineering students. The sequence includes: statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, and a capstone design course. This paper presents the details of how the entire steel building case study has been incorporated into the teaching of the structural engineering course sequence, from statics to the capstone design course. In statics, building loads are discussed, which can be illustrated with some of the animations included in the AISC material. In mechanics of materials, connection failure animations are incorporated. The topic of loads is covered in detail in the structural analysis course, where several of the visual aids are used to illustrate difficult concepts, such as tributary area. Once the loads are established, students are asked to perform the analysis of the building frame. Design of different members of the building frame (bracing, beams, columns, connections) is covered in the structural steel design course. Finally, the entire system is covered in the capstone design course. These types of tools are very useful because they provide students with a "real world" case to study throughout their structural engineering training. Results obtained from the end of class student evaluations have not changed significantly since the introduction of the case study in the structural engineering course sequence; however, the students have made a number of positive comments regarding the use of these materials in the course evaluation surveys.

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of all ABET (Accreditation Board for En... more This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of all ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited architectural engineering programs. The analysis is based on data collected from a detailed study of the curricula of these programs. Five major groups of courses are discussed: mathematics and science, general education, architecture, other, and engineering coursework. The analysis reveals what is, or is not, being covered in architectural engineering and the implications for future professional practice. The paper discusses the two approaches to teaching architectural engineering (from the architecture schools and from engineering schools), how well curricula satisfy ABET accreditation criteria, and what the current distribution of coursework indicates is the priority of architectural engineering education. Like many other disciplines, it is apparent that the current architectural engineering curriculum is highly specialized when it comes to technical subjects, but rather unfocused regarding liberal arts and other important non-technical skills.

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

There are currently 17 ABET accredited Architectural Engineering programs in the United States. T... more There are currently 17 ABET accredited Architectural Engineering programs in the United States. This paper presents curriculum data for these Architectural Engineering programs and discusses the challenges of finding common ground and conveying program needs to the rest of the academic community-especially when the programs are so small in number and so diverse in their structure and course offerings.

2005 Annual Conference Proceedings

It is well known that the main reason many students do not pursue careers in engineering is becau... more It is well known that the main reason many students do not pursue careers in engineering is because they are not aware of the opportunities available or simply do not know engineering is something other than conducting trains. In this paper, we present materials developed for a summer engineering program to educate high school students about the academic and professional opportunities engineering has to offer. The educational materials have been used the last three summers and 49 high school students have participated. The students are selected from several area high schools based on their academic interest, with the highest priority given to those interested in mathematics and science. They are brought to Kingsville to experience college life (including college admission and other college related activities) and to participate in several educational activities designed to familiarize them with civil engineering, including construction materials, structural engineering, transportation, environmental engineering, and water resources engineering. The primary objective of the material is to expose high school students to the great opportunities the profession of civil engineering has to offer. The program has been a success, with one of the participants enrolling in the Civil Engineering Program at TAMUK following the institute in the fall of 2002, three of the participants from 2002 enrolling in the fall of 2003 and one from the summer of 2003 enrolling in the fall of 2004. This is particularly important because these students had plans to enter a different discipline and were not aware of any engineering careers! Furthermore, all but one of the remaining participants from 2002 have indicated that they would pursue a career in engineering. From the 2004 group, several participants have inquired about entering engineering next summer. There is no doubt that the educational materials have provided these students sufficient information to make an educated decision to pursue a degree in engineering.

2004 Annual Conference Proceedings

This paper presents the description of a computer program for the analysis of wind loads on build... more This paper presents the description of a computer program for the analysis of wind loads on buildings and signs. The material used to develop this program was derived mainly from the American Society of Civil Engineers Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures 1 (better known as ASCE 7). The program was developed using an object-oriented programming methodology, Microsoft Visual Basic, and runs on any Microsoft Windows graphical environment platform. The program is intended for educational purposes and it is currently used in a structural analysis course taught at Texas A&M University-Kingsville 2. The response from the students after using the program has been very positive and encouraging (this has been expressed in the student rating surveys in the "comments" section). The students primarily complement the program's interface, which is very user-friendly. Furthermore, the program is very practical and can be used to compute the wind pressures that act on signs and buildings, particularly wind pressures on flat roof buildings and hipped roof buildings. The main objective of the paper is to present the program to other potential users in academia and industry.

Athens Journal of Τechnology & Engineering, 2018

An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference pap... more An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference papers series in 2012. It includes only the papers submitted for publication after they were presented at one of the conferences organized by our Institute every year. This paper has been peer reviewed by at least two academic members of ATINER.

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2016

Soil erosion is one of the most severe land degradation problems afflicting many parts of the wor... more Soil erosion is one of the most severe land degradation problems afflicting many parts of the world where topography of the land is relatively steep. Owing to inaccessibility to this steep terrain, such as slopes in open-pit mines and forested mountains, advanced data processing techniques are required to identify and predict high risk erosion zones. Unlike existing methods that require human observations, which can be expensive and error-prone, the proposed approach uses a fully automated algorithm to indicate when an area is at risk of erosion; this is accomplished by processing Landsat and aerial images. In this paper, an image processing algorithm is presented to identify the scene of an image by classifying it in one of six categories: open-pit mine, mountain, forest, degraded forest, cropland, and grassland or orchard. This paper focuses on automatic scene detection using global features with local representations to show the gradient structure of an image. The output of this work counts as a contextual cueing and can be used in erosion detection, and for erosion control in a variety of applications; particularly, predicting erosion risks in open-pit mines. We also discuss the environmental implications of deferred erosion control in open-pit mines.

Journal of Mechanics Engineering and Automation, 2015

The evolution of leakage is studied using detailed contact finite element analysis. The distribut... more The evolution of leakage is studied using detailed contact finite element analysis. The distribution of stress at the gasket is analyzed using a contact condition based on slide-line elements using ABAQUS, a commercial finite element code. Slide-line elements also take into account pressure penetration as contact that is lost between flange and gasket. Results are presented for a particular flange, a raised face flange sealed by a mild steel gasket. A comparison of the results from the gasket contact analysis and the contact conditions specified by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections VIII, Division 1 shows that the conditions specified in the ASME Code predict leakage relatively accurately.